Feedback & Reports

Last day of the season and via the WUF (thank you Alysson) the owner had kindly let me use an expired Rectory Wash off ticket on Gromain, a beat I had fished many moons ago but not for a long time.

Armed with the excellent detailed beat guide I set off arriving around 1030 at the fishery. The river here is quite big and a little intimidating, especially when there is a good flow running through - c. 1.36+ on Erwood gauge, though finally starting to fine down from the 3m or so it had been a few days before.

So although always felt fishy was quite hard to identify features and less obvious taking points and it felt a bit "hit and hope".

Started at the top on the left bank section near the Bachaway brook and could see that this potentially a good spot but no luck despite some wild thrashing of the fly and lobbing of a mini -flying C.

Good lesson learned that it is not good to alternate different methods as a major loss of focus, not to mention various tangles with overhanging branches as given the water didn't have the temerity to wade too deep.

Then made may way to the other beats on the left bank further downstream below the bridge. Met a friendly fellow fishermen at the the first pool and he let me fish on below him so had a go in Orchard and the Croy which looked promising though I did not connect with anything. Have to say was really impressed with the access to the river here in terms of steps and the disused railway track also had some good parking spaces and a useful place to turn further on.

A note to drivers however the return slope before the gate is quite steep and only 4WD reccommended in all but dry weather.

Back at the Bridge by around 4pm and met another very pro-looking other fisherman packing up in the car park whyowisely said that beat would fish much better at 1m and did I have any heavy tube flies and fast sink tips (had neither) as the fish would be on the bottom with all that current.

He went on to say he had had 20 for the season (gave up counting at 14) so I was inclined to believe him and decided to call it a day and blessed/cursed him as he careered off in his Porsche. Some guys have all the luck as they say.

Before I went decided to have a go on the boardwalk beneath the bridge which was safer and more stable than had looked initially, despite being 3-4 inches underwater. Managed to get a follow on my flying C from something medium sized with buttery belly( likely large trout) which grabbed then spat at the end of my retrieve almost at my feet.

The river is a cruel mistress sometimes but always teaches us a lesson or two.

I will be back to explore this beat again in the future (with hopefully a little less water) as feel have now a better grasp of the lie of the land.

Dry flies and bugging

1 Trout, 3 Grayling

1 Grayling

The river was up and very coloured but fishable. Fished noon until 5pm and had 9 chub. No barbel which was surprising.

9 Chub

1 Trout

3 Barbel, 6 Chub

River still pushing through ,just happy to catch a few fish.

1 Barbel, 5 Chub

Water Temperature had dropped further from yesterday, made the fishing tough.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

4 Trout

12lb hen salmon caught in Cafn Stream.

Nyth total catch for 2023 (much reduced fishing effort, and seemingly very low salmon numbers present.).
6/5 12lb. 10/5 22lb.
14/5 18lb. 14/5 20lb.
26/5 5lb 1/8 12lb
2/8 10lb 10/9 10lb
17/10 12lb.

1 Salmon